Alex Rodriguez homers twice to lead Yankees past A's, 6-1

Kyle Terada-US PresswireAlex Rodriguez hit a grand slam and a solo home run in the Yankees' victory over the Athletics.

OAKLAND -- Alex Rodriguez had to know what was coming.

Ahead in the count with the bases loaded, A's starter Trevor Cahill couldn't afford to give in to the Yankees slugger. So he went after Rodriguez, who at least did Cahill the courtesy of turning away before his grand slam ball disappeared into the left field stands.

Rodriguez hit two homers last night and made a spectacular diving stab on defense to lead the Yankees past the A's, 6-1. Faced with questions about a dip in his home run numbers, Rodriguez moved within just three short of the 600 home run plateau.

"I'm looking at 600 like first base," he said. "You want to run right through it and use it as a springboard for more to come."

Rodriguez hit just eight homers in his first 63 games this season. In his last 13 games, Rodriguez has hit six. Rodriguez, who hit his slam in the third inning before adding a solo shot in the sixth, homered twice in a game for the first time this season.

"Every day has been an improvement," Rodriguez said.

It was career grand slam No. 21, tying Manny Ramirez for second on the all-time list. Only Yankees great Lou Gehrig has hit more career slams with 23.

CC Sabathia, who has had a rough history at the Coliseum, allowed just one run in 7 2/3 innings to pick up his 11th victory of the season. He struck out 10.